Bullying Lesson for 1st Graders

Bullying is a concept that many 1st graders just don't quite understand.  I decided to do a lesson that would use a visual so that the kiddos would have a concrete example of how bullying feels.

We started the lesson by discussing what they already knew about bullying.  We referenced past lessons and what they have seen around school.  I then introduced the main character of the book that we were reading.  I used a document camera to do a quick sketch of Hooper from the book Hooper Humperdink...?  Not Him! by Dr. Seuss.  We talked about how bullying makes others feel "crumpled up" on the inside.  As I read the story aloud, students gave a thumbs down every time something negative was done or said about Hooper.  When that happened, I crumpled the sketch of Hooper a little bit. 

By the end of the story Hooper was crumpled and torn as you see below.  We talked about how important it is to apologize for your actions but that it doesn't completely "fix" how the other person feels.  We used bandaids to represent saying sorry and how it helps a little but doesn't take all the hurt feelings away.  When you say something to someone, you can never take back what you said and it can often leave unseen scars. 

The students agreed that Hooper probably didn't feel so good about himself.  They said he must have felt sad, angry, left out, frustrated, lonely and embarrassed (pretty good insight for 1st graders). 

When the lesson was finished, each class wanted to hang the poster in their classrooms to remind them to use kind words, treat others with respect, and include everyone. 

This was one of my favorite lessons that I have done because I felt like the students really understood the concept of bullying much better.

Calm and Relaxing

I have been searching for decent guided relaxation audio/video for kids.  What I have found is that I like bits and parts of each of them but have not found one that I like in its entirety.  Since I work with such a wide range of age levels, I was looking for one that would work for everyone.  As I was talking with my new intern the other day, she mentioned that I should just make one myself.  DUH!  So I went to work in my bedroom (away from noisy children and husband) and came up with a short guided relaxation audio/video for kids.

I would love some feedback on how it sounds and please be honest (but not mean).  Is it too hokey?  Too short?  Silly?

What do you think????

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fvov7yp373vgvo8/2013-01-13%2018.20.11.mov

Advice for a New Counselor

I had my first counseling intern begin today.  For the past few days, I have been thinking of all of the things that I wish I knew or had experienced before I started my counseling journey so that I can share them with her.  Here are the things that I think all potential counselors need to know:

• Be flexible!!!! I have a weekly schedule of all of my lessons, groups, meetings and individual kiddos that I need to see. No matter how much I try to stick to my schedule, things inevitably come up. Therefore I try to be very flexible with my scheduling and often needing to reschedule things.
• Have the ability to switch gears quickly. There are many times that you will go from a child melting down, to teaching a lesson, to sitting in a Children's Division investigation, to drying a Kindergartner's tears. My best advice to this is to take a few deep breaths and keeping going. if you have a minute to take a break (even if you lock yourself in the restroom), take it!
• Have a sense of humor. The life of a counselor can often be very challenging and demanding. No matter the situation, find something to laugh about (even if you are laughing at yourself). Laughter is truly the best medicine and can help you stay emotionally available when you are needed.
• Be organized. I cannot stress this one enough! Find what works for you when organizing your room, supplies, notes, thoughts, lessons, files, etc. It took me a few years to really get the organization thing down but I am always tweaking to make it better.
• Remain open to suggestions and new ideas. No matter how long you have been in counseling there are always new and different ways of doing things. 
• Stay on top of new ideas. Join chats, Facebook groups, and follow blogs. We can learn so much by helping and teaching others.
• Be a team player. There is no way I would be able to do my job well without the AMAZING people I work with. Working with kids is a collaborative effort! I have always loved the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." However in a school it should be, "It takes a village to educate a child." No one is alone in the process of teaching our students.
• Find people you can turn to. Many elementary schools only have one counselor per building. I could see how someone could feel very isolated and alone in a school. It is vital to find people in your school who can support you and can be a shoulder for you. Find a another counselor or group of counselors you can meet up with every once and awhile to support each other. 
• Take care of yourself! Whatever it is that helps you unwind...do it! Whether it is a bubble bath, dinner out with friends, a massage, or exercise, make sure you have something that you can do to keep your mental health strong.  

I truly feel that I have the best job in the world! Just like most jobs, counseling has its ups and downs. However, I would not trade it! If you are thinking about a career in counseling, you will not find a job that is more challenging and rewarding (with the exception of teaching).  

What advice would you give to a new counselor?  I would love to hear your ideas (and may steal some for myself). 

I LOVE my job!

There are times that being an elementary school counselor can be very stressful.  There are times that we may feel pulled in many directions.  There are times that we wonder if we are making a difference.  There are times that we question our effectiveness.

Even through the midst of doubt there are numerous times that make everything worth it!  Here is my "Christmas List."  Instead of making a list of things that I want to receive, I have made a list of why I absolutely love and treasure my job!

Top 10 Reasons I LOVE my job:

1. I work with EVERY student in the school.
2. I help kiddos calm down when upset.
3. I am able support teachers during stressful situations.
4. I get the reward of watching kiddos grow from kindergarten to 5th grade.
5. I am able to provide a safe place for students, parents and teachers to talk and share.
6. I work with AMAZING people!
7. I work in a community that embraces and supports anyone and everyone.
8. I still get to teach!
9. I get to advocate for kids.
10. I have the privilege of organizing our "Adopt a Family" program and see the joy on the faces of the parents who did not know if their kids would get to have Christmas.

This Christmas will be horribly difficult for many due to the recent events in Newtown, CT.  I hope everyone takes a minute to reflect on why they do their jobs, especially those who work with children.  Being a counselor and former teacher has its ups and downs but I cannot imagine a more rewarding career!

Happy Holidays to all!

Sexual Abuse Prevention

My school district has been very proactive in the education of our staff and students about the subject of childhood sexual abuse.  There are several lessons taught by the school counselors and community agencies who come into the schools for sexual abuse prevention programs.  There are trainings for counselors and teachers on mandated reporting and warning signs of physical and sexual abuse.  Most recently, the district has asked the counselors to read Off Limits: A Parent's Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse.  I am reading this book as both a counselor and a mother.  It is certainly not easy to read this type of book because of the graphic nature of the content.  With that being said, I feel that it is important for EVERY parent, teacher, counselor, school administrator and child care professional to be educated in preventing childhood sexual abuse. 

Below is the book description.  The cost of the book is $20.00 on Amazon but I would be more than happy to lend out my copy if anyone is interested.  

"Sexual abuse of children is a very real danger, from big cities to rural towns. But by following the practical advice in Off Limits, parents and teachers responsible for the safety and welfare of children - from toddlers to teens - can make their children's worlds much safer. The book, written by two leading experts on sexual abuse prevention, gives an understanding of what child sexual abuse is; who sexually abuses children; how to recognize warning signs that someone may be sexually abusing a child; how and where abusers gain sexual access to children; now abusers keep their victims quiet; how to help a child who has been sexually abused; how to help a child who is abusing other children; and how to keep children safe from abuse."

3rd Grade Lesson

Third grade students played character bingo as a way to explore positive character traits.  Below is the newsletter that I sent home.

4th Grade Lesson

Fourth graders explored differences of others.  They partnered with another person in class to discuss what they had in common and what their differences were.  They had a great time getting to know someone better in their class.  Here is the newsletter that was sent home.